veterans

Humana was recently named a Top 10 Gold-level Military Friendly ® Employer by Victory Media. The 2018 list of Military Friendly Employers distinguishes elite companies who boast the strongest job opportunities, hiring practices and retention programs for transitioning service members seeking civilian employment. Humana placed 4th overall of 200 companies in the prestigious list. View the entire list. This is the seventh time Humana has made the list.

“Because of the dedicated efforts of our organization to hire, develop, and retain Veterans, Military Spouses, and Wounded Warriors, Humana is again recognized as an employer of choice for the military community.” said David Best, Humana’s Veterans Hiring Initiative Leader. “This prestigious award is one of the best in the industry and to be honored with such an excellent ranking is a tremendous source of pride for the Humana team.”

For more than a decade, Military Friendly ratings have set the standard for companies and colleges demonstrating positive employment and education outcomes for veterans and their families. Each year, the list of Military Friendly ® Employers is provided to service members and their families, helping them discover the best post-military career opportunities available.

About Military Friendly and Victory Media

The Military Friendly Employers and Military Friendly Schools designation process includes extensive research and a data-driven survey of leading companies and colleges nationwide. The survey, methodology, criteria and weightings are developed with the assistance of an independent advisory council of educators and employers and are based upon the weightings and methodology established by Victory Media. The survey is administered for free. Find out more about Victory Media.

The holidays are a good time to give back to the community, especially to the men and women who served our country. In the spirit of giving, Humana’s Colorado Medicare Sales team partnered with VFW Post #3641 to host an event to benefit homeless veterans in Pueblo, Colorado. Pueblo is a small community about 115 miles south of Denver.

At the event, homeless veterans received free clothing and toiletries, a hot meal, health and wellness checks provided by Kindred at Home, and free haircuts provided by Shine Bright Like a Diamond Salon Spa and Boutique.

More than 340 pounds of clothing and shoes were collected by Humana employees and VFW Post 5812, another post in Pueblo. Approximately 20 bags with clothing and toiletries were distributed to those who attended. Leftover clothing and toiletries will be distributed at VFW Post #3641’s weekly food pantry.

Representatives from Humana were on hand to volunteer their time and host a booth to share information about the company’s Veterans Initiative and its longstanding relationship with the military. In addition, Volunteers of America Colorado were present to provide resources to participants.

The event included a presentation of colors and the national anthem.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are close to 400,000 veterans in Colorado. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 2016 Annual Homeless Assessment Report, Colorado has 1,181 homeless veterans, which increased by 24 percent while other states decreased by an average of 17 percent.

Humana and the Silver Dollar City theme park honored fallen American heroes in Branson, Missouri, on Sunday.

News station KY3 reported on the event, saying, “During The Gold Star Family Remembrance Ceremony, names of fallen military members were read, taps and a special song were played, and special guests spoke. It was all to help family members of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice know they’re not alone and to show them that their loved ones service is appreciated.”

About 300 Gold Star family members, representing 59 fallen heroes, took part in the event.

A.J. spoke about Humana’s veterans hiring initiative and the importance of tapping into every available talent pool.

“One in 5 people have a disability in the United States,” he said. “Unemployment rates there are double compared to everyone else. We looked at it as an opportunity…but we said, okay, if we’re going to do that, let’s do it right. Let’s start melting away those biases that we know exist.”

And for a company like Humana, with millions of members, it’s important that America’s diversity be reflected in our associates.

“Each person in and of themselves is different,” A.J. said. “We’ve always had a philosophy of trying to meet our members where they are, whoever they are. One of the strategies for doing that is kind of being in a position to reflect the communities we serve in a literal sense.

“Everyone could relate to wanting to be included,” he added. “Everyone wants to matter. Everyone wants to be invited to lunch. Let’s lead with that.”

“From our lens and the business we are in, it’s not just about the physical health, but about the mental health, about having a sense of purpose, a sense of community, the sense of belonging,” said Humana’s A.J. Hubbard.Read Full Article

In what has become a Super Bowl tradition, the Wounded Warrior Amputee Football Team took on NFL alumni in a charity flag football game. The game took place on Feb. 6, 2016, in San Mateo, Calif., as part of Super Bowl 50 festivities in the San Francisco Bay Area.

This is the eighth Wounded Warrior charity football game Humana has sponsored, and the fourth consecutive Super Bowl charity game.

The 13-0 Wounded Warrior Amputee Football Team is composed of men and women who served in the United States military and suffered the loss of a limb in the conflicts in Iraq or Afghanistan. (The team is not affiliated with the Wounded Warrior Project.) For the second year, Snoop Dogg made an appearance and played on the side of the wounded warriors.

NFL alum who played in the game included Dale Hellestrae (Cowboys), Dan Bunz (49ers), Dana Stubblefield (49ers), Bill Ring (49ers), Lorenzo O’Neal (Chargers and Raiders), Robert Smith (Vikings), and Dennis Brown (49ers). Rocky Bleier, decorated Vietnam veteran and four-time Super Bowl champion with the Pittsburgh Steelers, served as the honorary coach for the NFL team.

More than 25 Humana associates from the Northern California market volunteered at the game and helped make it a success. During the pre-game festivities, Retail Segment President Alan Wheatley presented the Wounded Warrior Amputee Football Team with a check for $370,000, which represents Humana’s overall contribution to the nonprofit.

“It was truly inspiring to attend the football game and see the men and women who gave so much for our country give it their all on the football field,” said Alan. “The theme of these charity football games ties in nicely with Humana’s efforts to hire veterans, which was expanded to include wounded warriors. To date, we’ve hired more than 2,600 veterans and/or military spouses.”

The Wounded Warrior Amputee Football Team won the game 49 to 35, making them 14-0 against the NFL alumni.

Proceeds from the game will benefit the Wounded Warrior Amputee Football Team and various disabled veterans organizations in the Bay Area.

Earlier in the week, former Dallas Cowboy and three-time Super Bowl champion Chad Hennings served as Humana’s media spokesperson at the Super Bowl 50 Media Center located in San Francisco. Chad did more than a dozen live interviews talking with media outlets from across the country, including the popular Jim Rome Show.